This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Rumor Mills and Missing Money

With a "pending announcement" scheduled for 12:30 Monday from Huizy, the rumors are running that this is the announcement from the Mayor jumping on board officially. Not that Huizy hasn't been running around town already spreading the news, but at least if true it will now be official. We''ll have to stay tuned to see.

***UPDATE*** Word has it Fabian Nunez will also be at the endorsement press conference

As for other news, according to the LA Downtown News Huizy faced off with Pacheco last week as well. I've clipped out my favorite segment:

"I think immediately that money should come forward from the school district. It's unfortunate that José has been aware of it for two years and there has been absolutely no movement," Pacheco said. "There's no legal issue here. If the city of Los Angeles has to pay its BID money, the school district has to pay its BID money, and hopefully that will get results sooner than later."

Questioned after the meeting, Huizar said he learned of the unpaid bill two years ago at a social gathering, rather than during school board duties, and that he asked board staffers about it, but received resistance. "I went back on my own to ask for that information. I didn't want to give the perception that I sat on the issue for two years and did nothing," said Huizar.

He said he is now focusing on the matter. "I'm definitely making it an issue to find the information and address it. While I'm on the school board I'll find a resolution to that for the Fashion District."

A few thoughts...

Huizy knew of the problem two years ago. He went to his OWN staff and met resistance? wtf? He can't stand up to his own staff? He was the President of the School Board. No, he didn't sit on the issue. He was just to chicken shit to stand up to his own staff. Good thing he's NOW focusing on it. Unless of course he still has the same staff.

Delgadillo Names New Chief Deputy and Criminal Branch Chief

Here's yet another announcement of turnover appointments from the AG CA:

City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo today announced he has drawn from the upper ranks of Federal law enforcement and city government in making two important high-level appointments to begin the second term of his administration.

Delgadillo named Richard I. Llewellyn Jr. as Chief Deputy City Attorney. Llewellyn, a former litigator at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., moved to Los Angeles to join the firm Riordan & McKinzie. His career in public service began when he joined the staff of Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman, where he was instrumental in the formulation of the Kolts Commission. That work resulted in a comprehensive review of the "use of force" procedures at the Sheriff's Department. Llewellyn served for six years as Special Counsel to former Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, restructuring the office to drastically improve crime prevention efforts and at the same time expanding outreach to the community. He has continued this innovative work in his most recent position as Chief of Staff to 13th District Councilman Eric Garcetti. With this experience, Llewellyn will be able to bring a new vision to the position of Chief Deputy that draws from years of legislative and legal experience.

Grabbing the reins of the Criminal Branch of the City Attorney's Office will be Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Isaacs, the deputy chief of the Major Frauds Section in Los Angeles. Isaacs has been involved in many of the major white-collar prosecutions in Los Angelesduring the past decade. Among his significant cases are prosecutions of former MGM Chairman Giancarlo Parretti, former Arizona Governor J. Fife Symington and the French bank Credit Lyonnais, which resulted in a record $775 million settlement and solidified his reputation as atenacious and dedicated prosecutor.

"Our ability to draw talent of the caliber of the Rich and Jeff is a testament to the innovative legal work being done by the lawyers on our staff," Delgadillo said. "I'm counting on both of them to help push the already high bar to a whole new level as we endeavor to make Los Angelesa safer, better place to live and dream."

Tag Teaming the Commission Appointments

With hearings scheduled soon on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's nominees to the Airport Commission, a City Council member is questioning whether one appointee might have a conflict of interest.

Valeria Velasco is president of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion, which has filed suit challenging the $11 billion modernization plan for Los Angeles International Airport.

Councilman Tony Cardenas has asked the City Attorney's Office for a legal opinion on any potential conflict of interest. He also wants an opinion on whether Velasco's position on the commission could result in the entire panel being recused from decisions regarding the master plan or settlement of the lawsuit.

Under the city charter, all of the mayor's nominees to the Board of Harbor Commissioners must reside in Los Angeles. Furthermore, Radisich was selected for a seat earmarked for residents of San Pedro, Wilmington and Harbor City -- another requirement contained in the charter, the legal document governing City Hall.

Radisich, 42, said Thursday that he lives on Stonewood Court in the section of San Pedro known as The Gardens. But he refused to say whether he has ever lived at the two-story, Spanish-style duplex he owns in Manhattan Beach, which was listed as his residence when he made seven campaign contributions to Villaraigosa and other politicians from November 2000 to October 2004.

Five residents on 42nd Street -- in the El Porto section of Manhattan Beach -- described Radisich as their neighbor when contacted this week by Copley News Service. They said he lives in the upstairs unit of the duplex, which he has owned since 1996.

Based on calculations of the originally proposed $3.85 billion bond, the bond would raise the current property tax bill of a home with an assessed value of $500,000 from about $425 to about $710 in 2009, about the average annual premium for homeowners insurance.

District voters have already approved three construction bonds since 1997 totaling $9.6 billion: $3.87 billion in 2004, $3.35 billion in 2002 and $2.4 billion in 1997.

The school portion of the property tax in Los Angeles is greater than in any other California city, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association.

"The cumulative total of this tax liability I would characterize as oppressive," he said.

Romer said an aggressive advertising campaign for the bond measure would begin immediately. For each of the past bond efforts, district officials said, campaign organizers raised and spent about $2 million to persuade voters to accept the higher taxes in exchange for new schools. To pass, bond measures require 55% voter approval. The latest proposal would increase taxes an average of $26.71 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The previous three school construction bond issues have together raised taxes about $85 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Although board members agreed on the need to win approval for a fourth bond measure, some had repeatedly expressed concerns about the timing and questioned why the district needed a fourth infusion of cash so quickly.

"I think we're going to have a very difficult fight passing this bond," Lansing said. "I just don't think that the voters of L.A. are going to pass (both) at the same time."

This year, Los Angeles property owners will pay $85.12 per $100,000 of assessed valuation annually to finance the district's first three bonds. Taxes will top out in 2012 at $140.23 per $100,000 of assessed value, according to district figures.

If it's passed on Nov. 8, Romer's staff said a new bond would likely add an average of $26.71 per $100,000 each year over the course of the 25-year bonds.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

A Breathe of Fresh Air

For politicians and shippers the message is clearCalifornians are ready for tougher controls on air pollution. Are their elected officials ready to respond?

The recently released study on state residents' attitudes toward pollution, by the Public Policy Institute of California, has particular relevance to the Long Beach area as it grapples with the rapid expansion of port operations. A majority of Californians cite air pollution as their No. 1 environmental concern, and an even greater majority see cargo ships, trucks and trains as a large part of the problem.

[cut...]

Secondly, the survey indicates that Californians are willing to support stronger steps to protect the environment and reduce air pollution, even at a potential personal cost. About 70 percent of residents, across the political spectrum, favor tougher pollution controls on the shipping industry (mainly cargo ships, trucks and trains) even if it raises the costs of doing business.

[cut...]

Californians may disagree on a great many issues, but we're very united when it comes to protecting our air, water and other natural resources. The PPIC study confirms this, and gives our elected leaders some clear marching orders.

New L.A. commission now can align waterfront plans with community's needs.

[cut...]

According to documents obtained by the L.A. Times under the Public Records Act, it turns out that a port finance director, Lou Colletta, warned that consultants' estimates were too rosy, and that the project's rate of return could be only a tenth of the projected 5 percent return. (The port's usual policy is to expect a 12 percent return.)

Also, despite a warning from the L.A. city attorney's office that a fuller public process was required, the port pushed ahead with a relatively small part of the project, a $44 million promenade extension, some piers, a parking lot and park space. Last month, port officials were about to proceed with a contract to improve Cabrillo Way Marina and adjacent land despite opposition of the city's chief administrative officer until then-Mayor-elect Villaraigosa asked them to postpone the action.

Further, some local residents, the presumed beneficiaries of a cleaned-up waterfront, don't like everything they see coming. And some were incensed to learn that they had been left out of some of the planning. It seems that members of a port advisory commission didn't know about a report providing a timeline and cost estimates for the waterfront redevelopment until the L.A. Times managed to get a copy of it.

You might say this project has become controversial. And you might say it's time the new mayor start pulling together some of the unraveling pieces.

He did that Wednesday, by replacing all five members of the L.A. Harbor Commission. The five are S. David Freeman, former general manager of the L.A. Department of Water and Power; Jerilyn Lpez Mendoza, an environmental lawyer; Douglas Paul Kraus, general counsel for a bank; Kaylinn L, Kim, a lawyer in private practice; and Joe Radisich, president of the Southern California District Council of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Two of the appointees, Freeman and Mendoza, are outspoken advocates for environmental reform, which is especially good news for the port's neighbors and for the region. (That could be matched by the Port of Long Beach, which just committed $100 million to cleaner air. The twin ports of L.A. and Long Beach are the biggest single source of diesel pollution from ships, trucks, trains and machinery.)

Tylenol - STAT

I don't know what pained me more. Reading this, this, or this. Either way, I'm going back to my alcohol induced haze. I was happier there.

The first has more typos than our own Chief Parker. The second makes me shake my head. As for the third. Well, I'm going to do something you will RARELY see on this site. I'm going to cut and paste from (LA Observed) besides the links above.

Also at City Hall: It's the second time this week a paper scooped Villaraigosa's appointments. Now get this: one of the anonymous political operatives who blogs at Mayor Sam's Sister City says an unnamed female Villaraigosa "administration official" is being fired for Monday's leak of the airport commissioners to Zahniser. The poster, "Chief Parker," has been suspected in the past of having a role in the Villaraigosa campaign, so there's a bit of chill in his further admonition: "You will stop these unapproved leaks or face the consequences of your actions. Oh and stop giving inside info to Roderick -- this message is going out to the guy and girl that are leaking this stuff. I know you guys." The last part's a laugher since I don't have a clue who he means—and I'm the supposed beneficiary. But if the mayor's circle is already hyper-sensitive about leaks—three weeks in!—that doesn't bode well for his media relations. Good reporters are going to keep breaking stuff, so get used to it. The bigger question here is whether Villaraigosa's people are sending messages through a blogger, especially one whose affiliations are secret. Besides the threat, "Chief Parker" also uses his post to stroke Villaraigosa and LABJ reporter Howard Fine for writing some positive pieces about the mayor. Disclosure: On July 11, the blogger there who goes by "Mayor Sam" emailed me twice, hoping I'd mention some items he had posted. I passed on them, and since then his site has been a trifle obsessed with me. I think it's kind of cute—thanks for the links, guys.

I know. Maybe I need a shower too! I feel dirty. I'm going back to bed.

Updated: Now he's going after Martini again --** Speaking of obsessed: Cue Mailander. Facts are 90% wrong and his spin sad, but he admits his bias and leaves out the race-baiting. (Oops, spoke too soon. Race-baiting ensues in the comments...)

CD 14 Fundraising Totals

The latest rumors on the street have Pacheco raising approx $80,000 and Huizy at around $160,000. Official reports should be out soon.

It shall be interesting to watch this race unfold. Huizy will need the money advantage to take Pacheco's name ID out. Pacheco keeps capitalizing on free LEGAL media. Yesterday's example was this which the Chief ran with.

While the move certainly does raise awareness, I'm not sure who it helps judging form the reaction we are seeing in the comments section.

As some of you may have heard, we discovered rodents in the Pavilion this weekend and had to close early. The Butterfly Pavilion is closed today due to the rodent problem. For safety reasons, we are unable to reopen until the problem is resolved. The exterminators have been inside and set two traps, one at the Guest Relations cashier station and the other at the gift shop station. Neither is visible to the public. Bait stations have been placed throughout the Pavilion since two nests were found. We have been asked to have someone from the Insect Zoo or GeneralServices walk through in the morning before the Pavilion opens to make sure there are no dead rats lying on the path.

We have signs posted on the Pavilion gates as well as each of our entrances. We hope to have it reopen tomorrow.

Tyieshia ArmstrongGuest Relations

What kinds of rats were they hunting for? Note where the traps were placed: "one at the Guest Relations cashier station and the other at the gift shop station"

I can only imagine the same scenario at city hall. Where would you put the traps?

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Nick is Back!

Wow, what a morning. It's never fun to have cold pizza for breakfast as you recover from a hangover triggered by staying up all night with my fellow VFW members in sunny Simi Valley.

So as i ate my pizza from my home in the San Fernando Valley and watched Channel 35, who should pop up on my screen but lil-tricky-nicky.

There he was complaining about the New Mayor and his old CD 14 staff. He complained and complained and sounded like a whiny little girl. It's astonishing that any voter would want him as their DA (wait they didn't) or their councilman (wait the don't, he was defeated).

Listen Pacheco, going around picking fights with folks more powerful than you is always a good way of getting exactly what you asked for -- an electoral pounding.

Leave well enough alone, resign from the race, go back and drink beers with Eliseo and stop with all the complaining already.

Who's Hot -- Who's Not

I've been receiving e-mails from many of you asking for an updated top 5 list. So here it is.

HOT1. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - Goes to Washington DC, John North follows him to the nations capitol -- good times had by all. Many in City Hall are finally realizing how hard this man works along with his staff. Also gets kudos for his Police Commission and Airport commission appointments.

2.Councilwoman Wendy Greuel - When going over the who's hot list I really didn't think Wendy would make it again, but there she is fighting for the little guy. Today's Daily News has her leading the fight to stop McMansions from ruining the character of neighborhoods.

3. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine - I would not have put him on my list , but there's Michelle Castillo in the Daily News declaring that Assemblyman Levine is hot.

5. Howard Fine - Usually this reporter sucks. He is a pompous know-it-all that never will let a politician answer a question without a snide remark to his friend Dave Bryant, but he seems to be writing some decent articles about the Mayor for once -- keep it up Howard people are beginning to like you.

6. Jim Alger - A candidate for State Assembly making some early noise about his ties to the community, this President of a neighborhood council has shown repeatedly that he is one tough hombre. He's also the only candidate for any office actively blogging on Mayor Sam.

NOT HOT1. Councilman Greig Smith -- Seems to be in a whole lot of trouble for his Wal-mart stance. Why the Councilman seems so bent on pissing off a whole lots of folks is beyond me.

2. Nick Pacheco - The only positive thing i can say about Nick Pacheco is that his face is not on a clock. Good Job! However, he really must be on a suicide mission because every corner he turns he realizes that he can't raise any money, well his opponent Mr. Huizar is on pace to raise 4 times as much money than little nicky. Don't worry Nick, the district loves you! I mean you are only the first councilman to ever be kicked out of office after one-term in CD 14 history. My early prediction is that Nick does marginally better than he did for his run at DA. Can we all say 20% of the vote?

3. The Leak - This administration official who decided it would be cool to leak the airport story to the "Z" man is about to find out why "she" will be fired shortly. You will stop these unapproved leaks or face the consequences of your actions. Oh and stop giving inside info to Roderick -- this message is going out to the guy and girl that are leaking this stuff. I know you guys.

***** Update*****Because Jim Alger is the only one with the guts to come on this blog and speak up for himself using his real name. I've taken him off the "not hot" list and placed him on the "hot" list. Congratulations Mr Alger. Your face is still on a clock however.

Ask the Mayor

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa answers your questions on Eyewitness Newsmakers Sunday, July 31st. Please submit your question on the form below. You must include you name and e-mail address. Please keep your question to 50 words or less.

LA-32 Duped by Huizy

Make of this what you will, but after a prelimenary check it appears to be correct. It doesn't escalate to the level of a capitol crime, but it certainly doesn't help your honesty factor when introducing yourself to potential future constituents.

The sponsors listed on an education forum community flyer that is circulating lists Senator Romero, LAUSD board president Jose Huizar, and The LA-32 NC. Missing from the flyer is a representative from the Governors office, as promised by the office of Mr. Huizar. During an outreach presentation to the LA-32 NC on the 13th, Mr. Huizar's representative was clear that a representative from the governors office would be present at the forum on the 26th. First suggested then pressed by LA-32 board member Linda McGuire that a governors rep be present so that the NC could sign on to what then would be understood as a balanced forum, Mr. Huizar's representative assured the NC that those arrangements were being made thru Senator Romero's office. The board then voted to sign on as a community outreach participant. A phone call that I had placed to the Senators office the following Thursday or Friday was met with some lack of understanding as to even the Senators scheduling to be at the forum let alone scheduling a governor rep to attend the meeting. Late last week I was made aware that El Sereno Resident and former LA-32 board member Gilbert Lopez had called the governors LA office reporting that they were never extended an invitation to attend. Mr. Lopez also discovered that Mr. Huizar had never made overtures to the governors office, and had no intention of inviting any governor or GOP representatives. This is highly unusual, and I'm sure embarrassing for board president Huizar, as well I am sure very unsettling to the LA-32 Neighborhood Council.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Montañez Delivers Car Buyer's Bill of Rights

When she's not busy leaking news, she's making news. Here's the release:

Van Nuys – Assemblymember for the 39th District, Cindy Montañez, will be handing out "lemon-aid" on Wednesday morning as she unveils her newly signed legislation that makes used car buying in California, the safest in the nation!

AB 68, which becomes law next January, for the first time, offers used car buyers in California an option of returning a purchased used car in two days, puts a lid on caps dealer interest rate markups, stops "loan packing" and creates standards for the selling of so called "certified used cars!

"This was a tough fight for consumers," said Assemblymember Montañez. "Car dealers were afraid of this. But we convinced them that it was good business for everyone and especially in Southern California, where 300-thousand more cars hit the road every year. California, again, sets the standard for consumer protection."

What: Car Buyers Bill of Rights

Who: Assembly Member Cindy Montañez, Car Dealers, Consumer Groups

When: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 10 a.m.

Where: Intersection of Albers & Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys Ca.(Grass island at the south entrance to the city of Van Nuys)

Goin' Fishin'

Howdy folks, just a note to let you know that your lovable Mayor Sam will be out of town for the next several days on my annual fishing trip in the Okefenokee Swamp. However, unlike LA Observed which shuts down when Kevin Roderick goes for a taco, the Sister City will be ably manned as always by Mayor Frank, Mrs. Yorty and Chief Parker.

If you have a hot tip and need to get it to the folks here at the blog, please email one of them:

Pothole Mayor

The last time this two-mile stretch of Burbank Boulevard in North Hollywood was repaved, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, Walter Alston was the rookie manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers and "From Here to Eternity" took the Oscar for best picture. And the two men who presided over Monday's celebratory asphalt-laying -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Tom LaBonge

Here are the funny parts of an otherwise boring story;

1) Let me continue the sentence pasted above to it's entirety -- And the two men who presided over Monday's celebratory asphalt-laying --Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Tom LaBonge -- were both still in diapers.

2) After offering brief comments, Villaraigosa and LaBonge donned hardhats and construction vests and clambered aboard a giant paving machine. If the patch of asphalt near the McDonald's on Burbank Boulevard remains rough, motorists know who to blame.

Ten Accomplishments to Build On

From Pacheco's mouth to your ears, we bring you the newest spam-mail:

Dear Friends:

As Councilmember for the 14th Council District I had some successes that I would like to share with you. Many of these were done in collaboration with the community and others were done by my staff working closely with the City departments. Either way, they are only the beginning and I look forward to returning to service and bringing a "sense of community" to the 14th Council District.

I felt that the only solution to bringing cleaner streets in our neighborhoods was through a joint venture with the community. I worked with the Department of Public Works to coordinate volunteers and promote "spring cleaning" in every part of the district. Each day ended with an environmental fair involving CBOs, environmental groups, and Public Works. This program started in CD 14 and has spread to 6 more council districts in the City. Councilman Villaraigosa changed the name of these events to “A Day of Service” and built them up to the point that thousands now show up.

2. Neighborhood Prosecutor Program

After September 11 the City of Los Angeles has a shortage of police officers in the neighborhoods because they were protecting the airport and other sensitive areas. During this time, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo asked me to introduce the motion to create the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program and as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee I pushed it through the council. This was at a time that we had very few resources for new projects, but public safety trumps all other programs.

3. Washington Boulevard Bulky Item Drop Off Center

The Bulky Item drop off center was Lloyd Monserratt's idea and I fought hard to get it funded. I put $2.4 million dollars into the 2003-2004 budget so that South Los Angeles, Hollywood and the Valley could get their requested bulky item drop off centers, but unfortunately all were closed down after I left the council. I am committed to re-open this center and expand it throughout the City.

I fought hard to make sure that Los Angeles received a Youth Opportunity grant from the Department of Labor. I convinced then Mayor Riordan to add $1 million into the application for a new City facility in Boyle Heights to eventually house the YO program. The program has grown into the Valley and will be a permanent City program. I put together close to $9 million dollars to build the 20,000 square foot center.

5. Evergreen Cemetery Jogging Path

The Evergreen Jogging Path is the most creative project I have ever worked on. The sidewalk surrounding Evergreen Cemetery (1.4 miles) was torn out and replaced with a rubber/cement compound made of recycled automobile tires. The project was designed to minimize rain run-off into the storm drains. I can see the City replicating this type of project and embracing the use of rubber/cement sidewalks everywhere.

6. Doña Street Signs

The City will no longer misspell Dona Teresa; it will be correctly labeled as Doña Teresa. I received international press on this item.

7. Automated Toilet Program

("European Style" Public Toilets)

I visited San Francisco with then Public Works Commissioner Woody Fleming and returned with the goal to have these self-cleaning toilets in Los Angeles, especially for areas with larger number of homeless or tourists. They will soon be all over the City.

8. Affordable Housing Trust Fund

($100 Million Dollar Motion: CF# 01-1458)

I was asked by the housing advocates to create a housing trust fund in 1999. They were not optimistic but I convinced then Mayor Riordan to start one with $5 Million for 2000-2001 and then doubled it for 2001-2002. In July of 2001, the Council adopted my motion (01-1458) to pursue placing $100 million in the fund.

9. Neighborhood Leadership Institute

The Councilman, working with City departments (especially Public Works) trained average residents on how to access City services. Council District 13 began a similar program after ours was initiated and other District Offices are considering following this model.

10. CLARTS Community Amenities Fund

I negotiated an Amenities Fund for CD 14 when the Department of Sanitation wanted to purchase a Recycling and Transfer Station located in CD 14. This fund generates around $1 million dollars a year for CD 14 projects.

As proud as I am about these items, there is still much work to be done. I want CD 14 to have the same sense of community it had when I was growing up: when every family shared in raising the children in the neighborhood. We will get there, but only if we all work to bring government closer to the people it serves.

Join my campaign and share my vision of bringing local government closer to the people.

We, in CD 14, have the resources to energize our neighbors into being a part of the solutions to our problems.

Quack Goes The Duck

As I've previously posted, my feelings towards the harbor commission are just about as sour as three month old milk. I can't wait for something to be done.

I've tried posting many in depth stories from the Daily Breeze, which many of you just attempted to brush off with your "it's a local rag that is sympathetic to their readership and isn't objective" crap.

I've tried to bring multiple activists into the frey so you could have an actual intelligent conversation with some of the key players in the fight, only to see many of you resort to 3rd grade playground antics and name calling.

The port's senior managers have kept most of those concerns under wraps. They have also failed to provide detailed information on some facets of the projects to the public and, in some cases, to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, which oversees the port.

Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act and interviews with more than 30 current and former port employees, tenants and residents show:

The port's finance director protested last fall that the agency was drastically overestimating the rate of return on its investment in the Bridge to Breakwater development. But senior managers, who disagreed with his figures, withheld that from the Harbor Commission.

Another senior financial official at the port cautioned that a plan to allow a private firm to develop a marina would shortchange the city. Senior managers never told commissioners of those concerns, but pressed them to approve the deal. The commissioners put the discussion on hold at the request of Villaraigosa.

The city attorney's office advised the port that plans to start construction on part of the San Pedro waterfront before public hearings were held and a full environmental report was completed might violate the law. The port is moving ahead.

I know. Now I'm just soliciting the normal lets bash the LA Times crap. So, I'll try tag teaming and give you a second article on the same subject with the same results. This time from the Daily Breeze:

Work has already begun on the northern portion of the 8-mile stretch along Harbor Boulevard.

But the bulk of the long-term development still faces a lengthy environmental review process before more substantial construction can begin.

And that's where residents still disagree.

So, now you have two of the three. In a bit, I'm sure you'll get the activists commenting on this post, giving you the trifecta.

At some point you'll all have to realize, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, odds are it is a FUCKING DUCK!

Now, what to do. Antonio showed that he has nuts and put a very controversial pick onto the Airport commission. Why is she controversial? Because she is a NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVIST who is fighting the system. What does the harbor commission need? A NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVIST who is fighting the system.

Monday, July 25, 2005

The horses are in the gates........

.................but there’s still 4 years till the running

Two cable television gurus are already rumored to be in pursuit of a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. Deane Leavenworth, V.P. of Government and Media relations for Time Warner Cable, and Coby King, attorney and known host of “Local Edition,” on Adelphia cable, are both said to be publicly laying out plans to run for the Third Council District seat when it becomes vacated by Dennis Zine in 4 years – yes in FOUR YEARS.

Both King and Leavenworth live in the Third District – King just recently moved within the district boundaries - and both have city hall connections.

Leavenworth is tight with both Zine and was a former staffer to Controller Laura Chick – endorsements that could prove to be very important.

King is the head of appropriately named “Coby King Communications,” and has a long track record as an attorney and as an activist for the Los Angeles Democratic Party in addition to his personal ties to former Mayor Riordan, former Councilwoman Ruth Galanter and Congressman Brad Sherman.

Let’s hope that King is saner than the folks over at Adelphia, who have posted the most ridiculous web poll (topic Gray Davis) that I have seen in a really long time. It makes me hope that the Time Warner folks move in soon, real soon.

Valeria Velasco, an attorney, small business owner and president of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion. Velasco is also a resident of the LAX-adjacent community of Playa del Rey.

Reappointed is Walter Zifkin, a current commission member and executive with the William Morris Agency.

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/25/2005 -- Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa continued his efforts to create a more accountable and ethical government today by appointing candidates with outstanding qualifications to the City's Board of Airport Commissioners. The seven-member Board will get a fresh start with the addition of six new members.

The six new members named by the Mayor include: Sylvia Patsaouras, an experienced urban and environmental planner; labor leader Joe Aredas; Allen Rothenberg, a highly successful executive and business leader; Fernando Torres-Gil, acting Dean at the UCLA school of Public Affairs; Michael Lawson, a successful attorney; and, Valeria Velasco, an attorney, small business owner and president of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion. Velasco is also a resident of the LAX-adjacent community of Playa del Rey. Villaraigosa also reappointed Walter Zifkin, a current commission member, community leader and accomplished executive with the William Morris Agency.

"In selecting my team, I looked for people who brought with them a passion for public service, the highest ethical standards, a commitment to aviation security and safety and a shared view that we must expand our regional aviation system rather than relying on LAX alone," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "I am pleased that the best and the brightest have agreed to serve our city and captain one of our region's most important economic engines."

Villaraigosa also discussed his priorities for Los Angeles World Airports, which includes LAX, Ontario International, Van Nuys and Palmdale Regional, and which the Board of Airport Commissioners will oversee.

They include: Safety, specifically increasing the safety of air operations and strengthening efforts to protect our airports from potential terrorist attacks; Developing a regional approach to aviation so that one community alone does not have to shoulder the impact of the region's aviation needs; developing and operating the City's airports in an environmentally sensitive manner; and, maintaining the highest ethical standards possible.

Biographies of the appointees follow:---------------Joseph AredasA native of Los Angeles, Mr. Aredas began his career in the entertainment industry in 1967 at the MGM machine shop as a member of the former Cinetechnicians Union Local No. 789 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada (I.A.T.S.E.).

In 1980, Mr. Aredas was appointed Assistant Business Representative of I.A.T.S.E. Local No. 695, a position he held for seven years. Soon after, he accepted a position at Consolidated Film Industries (CFI), a Hollywood motion picture film processing laboratory, as Vice Presidentof Labor Relations. In December of 1997 he left CFI to assume the position of Chief Administrative Officer at the industry's Contract Services Administration Trust Fund which is jointly administered by Producers and the I.A.T.S.E.

In November 1998, Mr. Aredas was appointed by I.A.T.S.E. President Thomas C. Short to serve as the International Representative-in-Charge of the I.A.'s West Coast Office, located in the Los Angeles area.

Mr. Aredas is Vice President of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, as well as a member of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (H.E.R.E.); International Association of Machinists (I.A.M.); United Aerospace Workers (U.A.W.); and since 1967 the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (I.A.T.S.E.). Mr. Aredas serves on the Board of Directors of the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation (EIDC); Motion Picture and Television Fund; Entertainment Industry Foundation; and the California FilmCommission.----------------

Michael LawsonA graduate of Loyola University in Los Angeles and Harvard Law School, Mr. Lawson heads the Employee Benefits Group at the Los Angeles office of Skadden Arps LLP. Mr. Lawson works on all facets of executive compensation and employee benefits matters for firm clients, includingstock options and other equity-based compensation plans; tax-qualified and non-qualified pension plans; fiduciary responsibility/prohibited transactions; single and multi-employer plan liability matters; severance agreements and ERISA-related issues in structured finance transactions; bankruptcy proceedings; and proxy contests. Mr. Lawson regularly advises boards of trustees of pension and other employee benefits funds, and boards of directors of financial institutions and of companies sponsoring pension plans concerning their duty of care,fiduciary responsibilities, conflicts of interest and other statutory duties under state and federal laws. He provides advice in the context of financings, private investment company matters, and merger and acquisition transactions. He also counsels investment advisors. His experience includes advising clients with respect to the structuring and offering of investment vehicles to pension plans and other institutional investors, and the fiduciary obligations of investment managers, trustees and other fiduciaries, including matters involving ERISA litigation, U.S. Department of Labor exemption requests and matters involving the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and other government agencies.

-----------------Sylvia PatsaourasSylvia Patsaouras is a regional planner at the Southern California Association of Governments. A graduate of the UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Planning with an M.A. degree in Urban Planning, Sylvia was honored by UCLA Latino Alumni Association as the 2002 Alumna of the Year. Sylvia received two Bachelor degrees, Cum Laude, from the California State University at Northridge (Urban Studies and Political Science).

Sylvia has worked with various civic and community groups and has been appointed to city, county, and state boards. She has served on the State of California Speaker's Commission on Regions and on the State of California World Trade Commission. Sylvia also served as a commissioner in the Quality and Productivity Commission for the City of Los Angelesand was on the Founding Board of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI), a community-based effort which became a national prototype in neighborhood revitalization. Sylvia served as Commissioner in the Los Angeles Services Authority Commission for the Homeless, a joint city/county commission.

Since 1992, Sylvia has worked as a regional planner at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and she is presently the Manager of Environmental Planning at SCAG. Sylvia and her husband Nick have two children and are long-time residents of Tarzana.

-----------------Alan RothenbergIn 1999, Mr. Rothenberg was Chairman, President and CEO of the most successful World Cup in history, the largest single sports event ever. In that capacity, Mr. Rothenberg built an organization from scratch that grew at its peak to 350 full time employees and almost 20,000volunteers, operating out of 9 venues, plus a headquarters office and a marketing office.As CEO of the 1994 World Cup, Mr. Rothenberg directed all activities including ticket sales, TV contract negotiations, sponsorship and licensing contract negotiations, stadium negotiations, government relations, international relations, and press relations. In addition, he oversaw major entertainment programs created by the 1994 World Cup including the 3 Tenors concert at Dodger Stadium, a week of separate performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Opening and Closing Ceremonies featuring, among others, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Jon Secada, andWorld Cups Legacy Tour and SoccerFest.

Mr. Rothenberg also served as President of the United States Soccer Federation from 1990-1998, leading the growth of that organization from an annual budget of less than $5 million and with less than 20 employees to an annual budget of over $30 million and over 75 employees. In the process, he negotiated major sponsorship agreements, national television agreements and collective bargaining agreements with mens and womens national teams.

Mr. Rothenberg served as Chairman of the Board of the 1999 FIFA Womens World Cup, which was the largest and most successful women's sports event ever. Other past business experience of Mr. Rothenberg has included work in an executive capacity, for sports teams, cable TV, livetheater and feature film. He has also served on Boards of Directors for many not-for-profit and for-profit companies.

---------------------Fernando Torres-GilFernando Torres-Gil is currently serving as Acting Dean at the UCLA School of Public Affairs. He is also the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, serves as Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy, and is the Director of the Center for Policy Research on Aging. Previously, hewas a Professor of Gerontology and Public Administration at the University of Southern California and continues as an Adjunct Professor of Gerontology at USC.

His academic accomplishments parallel his extensive government and public policy experience. He served as the first-ever Assistant Secretary for Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He also served as Staff Director of the House of RepresentativesSelect Committee on Aging (1985-1987), where he administered the legislative and oversight activities of the largest committee in the U.S. Congress; Special Assistant to then-Secretary of Health and Human Services Patricia Roberts Harris (1979-1980); and White House Fellow andSpecial Assistant to Joseph Califano, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (1978-1979). President Carter appointed Dr. Torres-Gil to the Federal Council on Aging (1978).

At the local level, Dr. Torres-Gil was the Vice President of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (1989-1993) and served as a member of the Harbor Commission (1997-2001) and the Taxi Commission (1996-1997) for the city of Los Angeles.

Dr. Torres-Gil was born and raised in Salinas, California, and is the son of migrant farm workers. He earned his B.A. in Political Science (1970), graduating with honors from San Jose State University, an M.S.W. (1972) and a Ph.D. in Social Policy, Planning and Research (1976) fromthe Heller Graduate School in Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

---------------Valeria VelascoValeria is a native Californian, born at California Hospital in Los Angeles. She has lived with her husband Frank and their son Frank in Playa del Rey since 1988. Val is a sole practitioner estate planning attorney in Playa del Rey.

Valeria is presently the Vice President of the Westchester Rotary Club, President of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC), a member of the Westchester/MDR/LAX Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving on the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Volunteer Panel. She has served as a Los Angeles Planning Commissioner, Staff Legal Counsel and Hispanic Liaison to former Los Angeles City CouncilmanMichael Woo, Assembly Aid/Hispanic Liaison to former Assembly Speaker Mike Roos, a bilingual elementary school teacher, and a Fee Dispute Arbitrator for the State Bar of California.Valeria earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law and a Masters Degree in education from the Claremont Graduate School, and Bachelor of Arts from California State University of Long Beach.

-------------Walter ZifkinWalter Zifkin, a UCLA graduate, began his career as William Morris in 1963 after working in the CBS legal department. He shifted into management as the William Morris Agency in 1966. Mr. Zifkin was named corporate vice president in 1975, then executive vice president in 1980,when he joined the board of directors. He was promoted to chief operating officer in 1989.In 1992, Mr. Zifkin was the chief architect of William Morris' acquisition of Triad Artists, the largest merger of the two talent agencies in entertainment history. In April of 1997, he was named the firm's CEO; and in 2003, Mr. Zifkin was named CEO Emeritus upon his 40thanniversary with the company.

Mr. Zifkin has additional perspective and experience from his community involvement, which includes service on the Executive Committee of the Board of Cedars-Sinai Health System, the Board of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services and the Board of the Los Angeles Police Foundation.

He has been a member of the Mayor's Economic Advisory Council for the City of Beverly Hills, the Board of Overseers of The University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Advanced Judaic Studies and, more recently, he joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Overseers. InMay 2004, Mr. Zifkin was appointed by Mayor James Hahn to the Board of Airport Commissioners, which is the governing body for LAX, Ontario, Van Nuys and Palmdale airports.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

USC Security Flap

If you recently tried applying to USC for employment or academic purposes, you may have noticed that the online application is no longer a viable option – and for good reason. Last week an official memo was issued to all individuals who used the online application system since 1999 indicating that,

“ We recently were advised that an unknown person/persons may have compromised USC’s online application database by using a “hacking” technique that permitted the unauthorized individual(s) to bypass the password requirements of the system and access certain information in the database.”

The memo goes on to say that,

“A reporter contacted our Information Security Office to advise us that he has received information from an individual who claimed to have been able to access this information while he was attempting to apply to USC online.”

Although someone out there may have assumed your identity, USC is hoping for return customers. The FAQ portion of the memo reads, “ It ( the online application) will be live again shortly, and may already be online by the time you are reading this. Please be assured that the site will be completely secured once it is available.”

Shouldn’t that have been the case the first time?

Their solution? Get a free credit report, or contact the California State Attorney General.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

The Padilla Problem

Just received this e-mail -- i've hidden the names for privacy reasons.

All:

We need some major community support on Monday atthe Braude Service Center, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., @ SylvanSt., 2:30 p.m to block this. Several years ago, the staff of theCouncilmember was asleep at the wheel and let this slumproject go through without getting the community involved.

The Applicant leases property from MTA, 46,400 sq. feet at12 cents per sq. foot. According to Real Estate ProfessionalX. xxx xxx, nearby industrial properties lease forup to $1.25 per sq. foot. This applicant re-leases a majorityof his property for close to 90 cents per sq. foot.

Besides MTA not collecting fair market value for it's property,the applicant makes a killing, plus he doesn't offer legalamenities such as water, power and other utilities. In caseyou don't know what I am referring, look at the photos inthe attachment. Radtke Construction is a "poster child" forcommitting Urban and Visual Blight at the corner of S.F.Road and Bledsoe. Travel down little San Fernando Roadand see the trash and debris and abandoned vehicles. Thisis also a prime location for prostitutes serving adjacent workers.

Of course the businesses that lease from Radtke don't pay taxesor business licenses, and cheat the commerical real estate owners.Now, again the Council office has failed to notify the community.Besides not employing competient staff to watch over this typeof neighborhood blight, the Councilmember is too busy runningfor State Senate. The attached planning department documentwas created on Thursday, June 30, plenty of time for the Counciloffice to let the community know and be prepared.

If we don't win on the Zoning, at least we can get MTA to chargethe real fair market value to Radtke that Radtke Constructioncharges (12¢ versus 90¢) to it's tenants.

Daily News Props

Six-foot-three and sharp in a pinstriped suit, Lloyd Levine could soon be one of the hottest men in America.

As the Democratic assemblyman from Van Nuys, he's so far been known mainly for his legislative exploits, championing such causes as fitness and the fight against cloned pets.He can lecture persuasively about the need for civic involvement, punctuated with quotes from John F. Kennedy. His resume includes chairman of Select Committees on Infrastructure, High School and Collegiate Athletics -- hardly hot titles to mention when trying to pick up babes.But the former photographer soon could be juggling the bustle under the state Capitol's white dome with romantic moonlight dinners: As part of a nationwide search for the country's most eligible men, producers of the ABC reality TV show "The Bachelor" have asked the 36-year-old Levine to submit an application to be a contestant."He's young, he's hot, he's single, he's what I believe every woman's looking for," said Michelle Castillo, a talent producer for the show, now in its eighth installment. "He's also got a great track record professionally."Great job, good looks, charming -- he's the complete package."

This came as a bit of a surprise to the mild-mannered Levine, who admits that he's never even seen the show. But, hey, legislators aren't blessed with a whole lot of time to go out looking for dates, so he decided to fill the application out and give it a shot.If picked, he'd have his choice of 25 attractive women to squire around Paris, winnowed down to one lucky mademoiselle to whom he would hand a single red rose.Levine, who favors French-cuff shirts when he's not pounding the streets in running shoes, seems slightly embarrassed by all the attention. Rail-thin and raven-haired, he coyly avoids discussing his past relationships, but mentions that he's been able to squeeze in a few dates between trips to Sacramento and back to Van Nuys."For me, a romantic night is what makes the other person happy," he said. "I like to do a lot of things, so I can have a good time no matter what. I get huge satisfaction out of seeing a big smile on their face, so if it's a good restaurant, a walk on the beach, a hike and a picnic, whatever they like."

He's not too picky about his special lady friend's appearance, though he favors tall women. She's got to have a passion for something, dig civic involvement, and enjoy being outside and active.Logging 60- to 80-hour weeks in the Assembly, he doesn't find himself with much spare time to indulge in romantic pursuits. Even his preferred entertainment has a political tinge to it -- his favorite movie is the Michael Douglas flick "The American President" and he rocks out to Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run."

His idea of a fun trip is going on a photo excursion to the Central Valley to document the plight of farmworkers.

"I don't think any Assembly member has much of a social life," said Levine's cousin Dave Krute, who works in the family political consultancy. "In the last three years, it's been nonstop political machinations, so there's been long hours in the Assembly. I don't think he's even had any free time to play golf and be with his family."

News of his involvement with the show, first reported on the political blog Mayor Sam, sent giggles throughout state political circles. Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the California Republican Party, couldn't resist an invitation to have a little fun at Levine's expense."I can't imagine that small talk about the state budget is a real turn-on to most women," she said with a snicker. "The fact that he's so concerned with cloning animals might cause more than one girl to find him a little suspicious."

Sure, he's going to be busy with politics for the foreseeable future -- planning a run for state Senate in 2008 -- but Levine still wants to find the right lady to settle down with."When you're in a relationship, you've got an anchor, someone who grounds you. In the morning, you get up, kiss each other goodbye and you go about your days. The whole time, you know there's someone there waiting for you who shares that life with you."

Friday Shorts

It wouldn't be a happy Friday if we didn't take our weekly shot at our beloved neighbor in the blogosphere over at (LA) Observed.

Today we get his "Friday Shorts" with the disclaimer that "This week's light posting has been due to me being out and around on assignment. It's likely to continue today. Late shorties will be tacked on to the tail end."

I didn't know what "shorties" were, but I guess they have a logo. Who knew?

Parents Summit on the Crisis in LAUSD

In a bit of campaign maneuvering and what I'm hoping is noble intentions of dealing with an actual crisis that everyone admits exists, Nick Pacheco blasted the following press release to his audience:

Saying "Parents are Crucial to the Solution,"Pacheco Calls for Parents Summit on the Crisis in LAUSD

Los Angeles, CA - "Parents are vital in bringing about any change in the LAUSD," said former city Councilman Nick Pacheco. "We have to include our schoolchildren's parents and loved ones in any solution to the problems facing our disintegrating school system."

Citing high drop out rates, increasing racial tension in the classroom and lack of parent outreach, Pacheco said that politicians and education experts alone wouldn't find solutions. "That's why I am calling for a Parents Summit," said Pacheco, " I want to hear first hand, before the recently set up committees and commissions get too far along, what our children's parents and loved ones have to say to us. I want to hear from the children, as well. Neither politicians nor experts have a monopoly on caring for our future generations".

Former Councilman Pacheco said he is writing to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to ask him to co-sponsor the summit, which hopefully will be held as early as next month.

Here is a copy of the letter to the Mayor. Click on the image to enlarge.

Representatives from LAUSD and the State will be available on Tuesday, July 26 - 6:30 pm at the El Sereno Senior Center to discuss the current financial woes at LAUSD. Find out:

- how did LAUSD overspend their fiscal year 2003-2004 budget by $253 million? What assurances do we have that those funds were spent in the classroom and not the bureacracy?

- what does it mean that State Controller Steve Westly has put LAUSD on the state's financial watch list? How does the "watch list" work and what can parents and teachers do to help the school district get off the list?

- why is the district considering spending $49 million for a parking structure so soon after spending $184.2 million to move top brass and staff into a downtown building?

- why did LAUSD submit a "qualified" financial rating to the Los Angeles County Office of Education, indicating that the district is uncertain whether it can meet its financial obligations over the next 3 years?

- can Romer's secret fund be used to make improvements at local schools?

As was reported in the LA Times the city budget woes have caused Mayor Villaraigosa to push the departments to "start scaling back a bit." It is reported that the City could face a $225 million dollar deficit beginning July 1, 2006 if changes are not made immediately.

As former Chair of the Budget and Finance committee, I can tell you that the Mayor is in a good position to impose cuts and get things on track. As the Chief Executive he can reign in the departments and make sure that they maintain the current level of City services.

I am committed to working with the Mayor and utilize my prior experience as Chair of the Budget and Finance committee to assist him in this important task.

NO INCREASE IN TRASH COLLECTION FEES: I will fight back any desire to impose a fee for collecting trash from single-family homes in Los Angeles to solve our budget problems.

We will get through these lean years and, unfortunately, the City Budget will only focus on the basic city services for CD 14.

However, there is good news for us below!!!

-----------------------------------------------

CD 14's "Million Dollar Baby": CLARTS Amenities Fund

Dear Friends:

Many of you have tracked the various CD 14 motions spending CLARTS Community Amenities Trust Funds (04-2219 $50,000 to Para Los Ninos, 05-0795 $30,000 to Self Help Graphics, 03-0307-S5 $2,369.99 to Mariachi Festival, 03-0307-S6 $60,000 to Centro de Ayuda, & 05-1371 $66,000 to Council District 14 Staff Costs) and have wanted to know how this fund was created. For the last three years this fund has been in the works and I want to personally thank Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for completing this project while Councilmember.

When the Department of Sanitation approached me with the idea of purchasing the Central Los Angeles Recycling and Transfer Station (CLARTS) in 2002, I told them that I would agree to the purchase ONLY IF a community amenities trust fund was established. I had known about the one for Sunshine Canyon Landfill and figured "if it was good enough for the Valley, it was good enough for us on the Eastside." They agreed and thus the agreement for the CLARTS Community Amenities Trust Fund was born.

According to the very first motion (04-2219) introduced to spend the funds, every fiscal quarter generates $226,000.00 dollars for CD 14, around $1 Million a year.

This fund puts CD 14 in the unique position of not having to rely on the City's budget to fund local projects. As I have walked in various neighborhoods the following projects have surfaced and seem worthy of support:

It turns out one of our local Assemblymembers does. An inquiry has been submitted to the powers that be under the big white dome asking what the restrictions would be on a current elected who could potentially be the next bachelor?

Any guesses? Stay tuned to find out.

** Since this post got so much attention, it is time to let you guys loose on a Friday morning and let you discuss the answer amongst yourselves.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Villaraigosa vs. Ludlow - Round 1

I haven't come up with the clever "rumble in the jungle" catch phrase yet, but the first spat is about to occur come July 23.

Starting then, all international container terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will start five OffPeak shifts per week on nights and weekends.

In the Mayor's corner we have PierPASS. PierPASS is a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators to reduce congestion and improve air quality in and around the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. PierPASS is responsible for managing the OffPeak program.

In Ludlow's corner we have the Teamsters port division. They are organizing a protest rally tomorrow arguing that PierPass makes truckers work longer hours. Some truckers are calling for a boycott Saturday. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union supports PierPASS, but is also trying to call for the truckers rights to be addressed.

The City, residents, and anyone on a freeway needs PierPass. The Mayor needs labor. Labor needs the Mayor. Ludlow needs to look independent and not appear to be the Mayor's puppet, yet back up his truckers. The Mayor needs to stand up for residents in the port.

What to do? What to do? We'll probably learn a lot about both men in the coming days. They are both skilled public speakers. They both know how to negotiate. Watch this one closely and we are sure to see a little dance on the fence from both. Word of advice? Don't get caught speaking out of both sides of your mouths. It never ends well.